I love Christmas time and decorating for Christmas. I also love the excitement that Christmas brings to little children. I think that I enjoy the excitement and magic of Christmas even more as an adult than I did as a child because I am living through the experience of my children. I love that first thing each morning Mandy asks me to turn the Christmas tree lights on. I love that each day both Dallin and Mandy excitedly anticipate getting to find the little treasure on their advent calendar
(I have two, so that there won't be any fighting, I guess I'll have to buy a third when Layton gets a little bigger:)) as they happily count down one day closer to Christmas. I love that everyday they spend some time talking with me and theorizing about Santa Claus. But as much as I love all of that, and I truly do, I wish I knew how to make the experience a little more balanced so that they spent as much time talking about the Savior as they do about Santa Claus.
We have a beautiful nativity set that we put out and discuss, and even Dallin's advent calendar is a manger scene so we talk about each piece that he opens up each day and how it fits into the story of Christ's birth. We try to get them to think of how they can help others at this time of year. I try each time they talk about Santa Claus, to ask them if they remember whose birthday we are celebrating and why we give gifts at Christmas. Each family home evening we have this month will focus on the gifts that the Savior gave to us and what we can give to Him.
But it still feels like them receiving their list of wants from Santa Claus overshadows the significance of the Savior's birth. I know that much of that is due to their age and that as they get older they will more fully comprehend why we celebrate Christmas. But I was just wondering what all of you thought about it and maybe what some of your ideas are on how to help children feel the true spirit of Christmas?
I love Christmas time and decorating for Christmas. I also love the excitement that Christmas brings to little children. I think that I enjoy the excitement and magic of Christmas even more as an adult than I did as a child because I am living through the experience of my children. I love that first thing each morning Mandy asks me to turn the Christmas tree lights on. I love that each day both Dallin and Mandy excitedly anticipate getting to find the little treasure on their advent calendar 
(I have two, so that there won't be any fighting, I guess I'll have to buy a third when Layton gets a little bigger:)) as they happily count down one day closer to Christmas. I love that everyday they spend some time talking with me and theorizing about Santa Claus. But as much as I love all of that, and I truly do, I wish I knew how to make the experience a little more balanced so that they spent as much time talking about the Savior as they do about Santa Claus. 
We have a beautiful nativity set that we put out and discuss, and even Dallin's advent calendar is a manger scene so we talk about each piece that he opens up each day and how it fits into the story of Christ's birth. We try to get them to think of how they can help others at this time of year. I try each time they talk about Santa Claus, to ask them if they remember whose birthday we are celebrating and why we give gifts at Christmas. Each family home evening we have this month will focus on the gifts that the Savior gave to us and what we can give to Him. 
But it still feels like them receiving their list of wants from Santa Claus overshadows the significance of the Savior's birth. I know that much of that is due to their age and that as they get older they will more fully comprehend why we celebrate Christmas. But I was just wondering what all of you thought about it and maybe what some of your ideas are on how to help children feel the true spirit of Christmas?
4 comments:
We always try to remind the children of the true meaning of Christmas as well. I started a tradition a few years ago that seems to work well for our family. Every week night in the month of December has a theme. On Mondays, we have FHEs dedicated to something about the Savior's birth. On Tuesdays, we do some sort of service. On Wednesdays, we read a story that is about the true Christmas spirit (i.e. The Gift of the Magi, The Christmas Miracle - something that isn't about Rudolph or Santa). On Thursdays we make a craft that has to do with the nativity or Christ. And on Fridays, we take a "field trip". We've been to live nativities and looked at Christmas lights, emphasizing the "light" of Christmas.
Anyway, that was really long, but my kids really enjoy it and it does seem to help bring some balance.
That is a wonderful idea! I think I am going to steal it!
I've been having a problem trying to do the samething. I think I'll try some of Kim's great ideas too . But we try not to really talk about Santa here. We do watch the christmas movies, and there is normally 1 present from santa, and cookies left for him, but I think I do that because I didn't grow up in the church, so our christmas was centered around Santa and all the presents. Paul would be happy if no presents were from Santa, and I didn't mention him. I guess we celebrated Christmas way different in our families growing up.
I really like the idea about the service work. What a busy Christmas season for concientious parents!
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